Absorbent article

ABSTRACT

An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet (4), a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core (8) surrounded by the topsheet (4) and the backsheet is improved in such a manner as to be deformed in the width direction without being distorted inappropriately when undergoing a widthwise compressive force. The absorbent core (8) includes a central core piece (12) and a pair of side core pieces (14) disposed on both sides of the central core piece; or includes a central core portion, a pair of connecting portions extending downwardly from the opposite side edges of the central core portion, and a pair of side core portions extending widthwise outwardly from the connecting portions. When a widthwise compressive force is exerted, the side core pieces or the side core portions are displaced widthwise inwardly and caused to sink below the central core piece or the central core portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a disposable absorbent article, and moreparticularly, to a disposable absorbent article having a liquid pervioustopsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent coresurrounded by the topsheet and the backsheet.

The term "absorbent articles" as used herein refers to sanitary napkins,pantiliners, and incontinence pads designed to absorb and retain bodyfluids, such as menses and urine, discharged from the human body whenthey are worn so as to cover the urogenital region.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known, an absorbent article advantageously used as a sanitarynapkin has a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet,and an absorbent core surrounded by the topsheet and the backsheet. Itis important that such an absorbent article be appropriately positionedrelative to the wearer's urogenital region, and should have the coreabsorb body fluids, discharged from the wearer, through the topsheet,and hold them without allowing their leakage to the surroundings.Generally, while the wearer is in motion, such as when walking, sittingdown, or standing up, the wearer's thighs are closed, and a widthwisecompressive force is exerted on the absorbent article. As a result, theabsorbent article is irregularly distorted and folded with respect toits longitudinal central axis. Owing to this phenomenon, body fluidsdischarged cannot be appropriately absorbed and held by the core anylonger. The body fluids tend to leak, particularly, to the widthwiseopposite sides. Leakage to the widthwise opposite sides called lateralleakage, if any, stains the wearer's skin with the body fluids, andaccordingly, the wearer's clothing, such as panties.

The term "longitudinal" as used herein refers to a direction extendingon the front and back of the body along the absorbent article worn in arequired state covering the wearer's urogenital region (a directionextending substantially horizontally in the back-and-forth direction ofthe body when the absorbent article is laid, in a flat form,substantially horizontally below the crotch region of the body standingupright). The term "widthwise" as used herein refers to a directionextending on the right and left of the body along the absorbent articleworn in a required state covering the wearer's urogenital region (adirection extending substantially horizontally in the right-and-leftdirection of the body when the absorbent article is laid, in a flatform, substantially horizontally below the crotch region of the bodystanding upright).

Conventional attempts to prevent the leakage of body fluids to thewidthwise opposite sides that is ascribed to the compression of theabsorbent article in the width direction include, for example,constructing the absorbent core from a plurality of core pieces laid inlayers in the up-and-down direction and/or arranged side by side in thewidth direction. Such conventional attempts are disclosed in JapaneseLaid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 5-115506 and 5-84261, JapaneseLaid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 5-28327, British Patent 23,103,and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,071,138, 3,653,382, 3,954,107, 4,340,058,4,589,876, 4,973,325 and 4,988,344.

The conventional absorbent article having the core constructed from theplurality of core pieces poses the problem that the leakage of bodyfluids to the widthwise opposite sides cannot be prevented fullysatisfactorily, and/or the structure is considerably complicated and thecost of manufacturing is high. The present invention has beenaccomplished in the light of the above-mentioned facts.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a noveland improved absorbent article which, when undergoing a widthwisecompressive force, is deformed in the width direction without beingdistorted inappropriately, whose required site is kept at the requiredposition of the wearer's urogenital region, and which thus prevents thewidthwise bilateral leakage of body fluids fully satisfactorily.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved absorbent article which, although being producible for arelatively low cost and with a relatively simple structure, prevents thewidthwise leakage of body fluids fully satisfactorily, even when awidthwise compressive force is exerted thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an absorbent coreis composed of a central core piece and a pair of side core piecesdisposed on both sides of the central core piece, and when a widthwisecompressive force is exerted, each of the side core pieces is displacedwidthwise inwardly and caused to sink below the central core piece.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, anabsorbent core is provided which comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, aliquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core surrounded by thetopsheet and the backsheet, wherein the absorbent core includes acentral core piece and a pair of side core pieces disposed on both sidesof the central core piece, and when a widthwise compressive force isexerted, each of the side core pieces is displaced widthwise inwardlyand caused to sink below the central core piece.

Preferably, the lower surface of each of the side core pieces is joinedto the backsheet, and on the outer surface of the backsheet is disposed,in an area extending along the lower surface of each of the side corepieces, a bonding means for strippably bonding the backsheet to theinner surface of panties. Preferably, a liquid impervious intermediatesheet for preventing a liquid flow from the central core piece to eachof the side core pieces is disposed between the central core piece andeach of the side core pieces. Preferably, each of the intermediatesheets extends, in a widthwise sectional view, along a side edge portionof the upper surface, the side surface, and a side edge portion of thelower surface of the central core piece, then extends widthwiseoutwardly from the side edge portion of the lower surface of the centralcore piece to the lower surface of each of the side core pieces, and isjoined not only to the side edge portion of the upper surface and theside edge portion of the lower surface of the central core piece, butalso to the lower surface of the side core piece. The widthwisedimension of each of the intermediate sheets may be set at such adimension that each of the side core pieces is prevented from sinkingbelow the central core piece in the entire width direction, especially,such a dimension that more than the widthwise inward half of each of theside core pieces is prevented from sinking below the central core piece.Preferably, each of the side core pieces is joined to the backsheet viathe intermediate sheet. The topsheet includes a central topsheet pieceand a pair of side topsheet pieces, the central topsheet piece covers atleast the upper surface of the central core piece, and each of the sidetopsheet pieces covers at least the upper surface of each of the sidecore pieces. Preferably, widthwise opposite side portions of the centraltopsheet piece extend, in a widthwise sectional view, along oppositeside edge portions of the upper surface, the opposite side surfaces, andthe opposite side edges of the lower surface, of the central core piece,outwardly of each of the intermediate sheets, and a widthwise inwardportion of the side topsheet piece extends, in the widthwise sectionalview, along the widthwise inward side surface and the lower surface ofthe side core piece. Alternatively, the topsheet is formed of asingle'sheet piece covering at least the upper surface of the centralcore piece and the upper surface of each of the side core pieces. In astate before the widthwise compressive force is exerted, the widthwiseinward edge of each of the side core pieces is located adjacently to andwidthwise outwardly of each of the opposite side edges of the centralcore piece. Alternatively, in a state before the widthwise compressiveforce is exerted, a widthwise inward edge portion of each of the sidecore pieces is located below each of opposite side edge portions of thecentral core piece. The width of the central core piece is 5 to 100 mm,preferably 20 to 70 mm, more preferably 30 to 50 mm. The width of eachof the side core pieces is 2 to 50 mm, preferably 5 to 35 mm, morepreferably 8 to 18 mm.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an absorbent coreis adopted which includes a central core portion, a pair of connectingportions extending downwardly from the opposite side edges of thecentral core portion, and a pair of side core portions extendingwidthwise outwardly from the lower end of each of the connectingportions, and when a widthwise compressive force is exerted, each of theside core portions is displaced widthwise inwardly and caused to sinkbelow the central core.

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention, anabsorbent core for solving the technical challenge is provided whichcomprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, andan absorbent core surrounded by the topsheet and the backsheet, whereinthe absorbent core includes a central core portion, a pair of connectingportions extending downwardly from the opposite side edges of thecentral core portion, and a pair of side core portions extendingwidthwise outwardly from the lower end of each of the connectingportions, and when a widthwise compressive force is exerted, each of theside core portions is displaced widthwise inwardly and caused to sinkbelow the central core.

Preferably, the lower surface of each of the side core portions of theabsorbent core is joined to the backsheet, and on the outer surface ofthe backsheet is disposed, in an area extending along the lower surfaceof each of the side core portions, a bonding means for strippablybonding the backsheet to the inner surface of panties. Preferably, eachof the connecting portions of the absorbent core extends downwardly in awidthwise inwardly inclined manner, and the absorbent core is in theshape of ₋₋ as a whole. Preferably, a pair of liquid imperviousintermediate sheets covering opposite side edge portions of the uppersurface of the central core portion of the absorbent core and coveringthe outer surface of each of the connecting portions are disposed, andthe topsheet is disposed outside each of the intermediate sheets.Alternatively, it is preferred that a pair of liquid imperviousintermediate sheets covering opposite side portions of the upper surfaceof the central core portion of the absorbent core, the outer surface ofeach of the connecting portions, and the upper surfaces of the side coreportions are disposed; an absorbent auxiliary core piece is disposed onthe upper surface of that portion of each of the intermediate sheetswhich covers the upper surface of the side core portion; and thetopsheet is disposed outside each of the intermediate sheets and theauxiliary core pieces. Preferably, the width of the central core portionis 5 to 120 mm, particularly 25 to 80 mm, more particularly 35 to 60 mm.Preferably, the width of each of the side core portions is 2 to 60 mm,particularly 5 to 40 mm, more particularly 8 to 25 mm.

In the absorbent article constituted according to the first aspect ofthe present invention, when a widthwise compressive force is exerted onit owing to the wearer's motion, the side core pieces are displacedwidthwise inwardly and caused to sink below the central core piece. As aresult, the absorbent article is effectively prevented from beingirregularly distorted with respect to its longitudinal axis, so that thecentral core piece is maintained at an appropriate position relative tothe wearer's urogenital region. Since the side core pieces are caused tosink below the central core piece, moreover, the central core portion isbrought into more intimate contact with the wearer's urogenital region.Upon release of the widthwise compressive force, the side core piecesare moved toward their original positions.

In the absorbent article constituted according to the second aspect ofthe present invention, when a widthwise compressive force is exerted onit owing to the wearer's motion, the side core portions are displacedwidthwise inwardly and caused to sink below the central core portion. Asa result, the absorbent article is effectively prevented from beingirregularly distorted with respect to its longitudinal axis, so that thecentral core portion is maintained at an appropriate position relativeto the wearer's urogenital region. Since the side core portions arecaused to sink below the central core portion, moreover, the centralcore portion is brought into more intimate contact with the wearer'surogenital region. Upon release of the widthwise compressive force, theside core portions are moved toward their original positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sanitary napkin as a preferred embodiment ofan absorbent article constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the napkin shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line A--A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the napkin of FIG.1 along with part of panties in a state in which a widthwise compressiveforce is exerted.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a modified example ofthe napkin shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of another modifiedexample of the napkin shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a sanitary napkin asanother preferred embodiment of an absorbent article constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, showing the napkin of FIG.7 along with part of panties in a state in which a widthwise compressiveforce is exerted.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3, of a modified example ofthe napkin shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in moredetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawingsillustrate a sanitary napkin, a preferred embodiment of an absorbentarticle constructed in accordance with the present invention. Of thedrawings, sectional views (FIGS. 3 to 9) show the thicknesses of theconstituent elements, and/or the distances in the direction of thickness(i.e. the up-and-down direction in FIGS. 3 to 9) between the constituentelements, in a considerably exaggerated manner in order to clearlyindicate how these constituent elements are laminated and joined to oneanother.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a sanitary napkin, an embodiment of an absorbentarticle constructed in accordance with the present invention. The napkinshown entirely at the numeral 2 has a liquid pervious topsheet 4, aliquid impervious backsheet 6, and an absorbent core 8 surrounded by thetopsheet 4 and the backsheet 6.

The backsheet 6 is formed entirely of a single piece, and as seen fromFIG. 2, is nearly rectangular as a whole. The opposite edges in thelongitudinal direction (in the up-and-down direction in FIG. 2) of thebacksheet 6 are in a convexly arcuate form. At a longitudinally centralportion of the backsheet 6 are formed a pair of wing portions 10protruding in the width direction (the right-and-left direction in FIGS.2 and 3). Each of the wing portions may be nearly in the shape of atrapezoid whose longitudinal dimension is gradually decreased widthwiseoutwardly. The backsheet 6 can be advantageously formed from a flexibleliquid impervious thermoplastic film such as a polyolefinic film.Particularly preferred films for forming the backsheet 6 include a lowdensity polyethylene film 0.01 to 0.05 mm, particularly, about 0.025 mm,in thickness. Such a polyethylene film is sold by the Ethyl Corp.,Visqueen Division, as Model XP-39385 and by the Clopay Corp. ofCincinnati, Ohio, USA, as SOFFLEX 1401.

In the illustrated embodiment, the absorbent core 8 includes three corepieces, i.e., a central core piece 12 and a pair of side core pieces 14.The pair of side core pieces 14 are arranged side by side on both sidesof the central core piece 12, with the widthwise inward edge of each ofthem being adjacent to the side edge of the central core piece 12. Aswill be seen by reference to FIG. 1, the central core piece 12 and thepair of side core pieces 14 cooperatively define a shape nearly similarto, and slightly small than, the shape of a main portion of thebacksheet 6, i.e., the portion excluding the pair of wing portions 10.The central core piece 12 is relatively broad, and the side core pieces14 are relatively less broad. Preferably, the width, W1, of the centralcore piece 12 is 5 to 100 mm, particularly 20 to 70 mm, and moreparticularly 30 to 50 mm. If the width W1 of the central core piece 12is too large, the tendency arises, as will be mentioned later, that whena widthwise compressive force is exerted on the napkin 2, the centralcore piece 12 itself is irregularly distorted with respect to thelongitudinally central axis. Body fluids discharged from the wearer areto be absorbed and held by the central core piece 12. If the width W1 ofthe central core piece 12 is too small, the body fluids absorbing andholding capacities of the central core piece 12 will becomeinsufficient. The width, W2, of the side core piece 14 is set accordingto the width W1 of the central core piece 12 and the width of the mainportion of the backsheet 8. Preferably, it is 2 to 50 mm, particularly 5to 35 mm, and more particularly 8 to 18 mm. If desired, the central corepiece 12 may be rendered relatively thick to increase its body fluidsabsorbing and holding capacities. Also, the side core piece 14 may berelatively thin so that it can sink below the central core piece 14 moresmoothly. The central core piece 12 and the pair of side core pieces 14can be advantageously formed from materials, such as comminuted woodpulp called airfelt; creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers;chemically stiffened, modified, or crosslinked cellulosic fibers;absorbent plastic foams; layers of tissue paper; absorbent gellingmaterials (materials gelling when absorbing liquids); or any suitablecombinations of these.

On the upper surface of the central core piece 12 is disposed adispersing sheet 16 generally called a secondary topsheet. Thedispersing sheet 16 desirably has the function to disperse a body fluid,which has passed through the topsheet 4, in the longitudinal directionand cause it to be absorbed by the central core piece 12. Preferably,the dispersing sheet 16 can be formed from a nonwoven fabric of naturalor synthetic fiber. Particularly preferred nonwovens for forming thedispersing sheet 16 include a nonwoven fabric of spunbond polypropylenefibers designated P-9 available from the Fiberweb Corporation ofSimpsonville, S.C., USA, under the tradename CELESTRA; and a nonwovenfabric formed of bicomponent fibers which have a polyethylene sheath anda polyester core or a polyethylene sheath and a polypropylene core, thefabric available from the Havix Company, of Japan, as S2146. Thedimension in the width direction (the right-and-left direction in FIGS.1 and 3) of the dispersing sheet 16 is substantially the same as thewidthwise dimension of the central core piece 12. The dimension in thelongitudinal direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 1) of thedispersing sheet 16 is somewhat smaller than the longitudinal dimensionof the central core piece 12. The longitudinally opposite edges of thedispersing sheet 16 are positioned inwardly of the longitudinallyopposite edges of the central core piece 12. The dispersing sheet 16 isjoined to the upper surface of the central core piece 12 in amultiplicity of discrete areas of bonding 17 using an adhesive. In FIG.3, the areas of bonding 17 between the central core piece 12 and thedispersing sheet 16 are indicated by heavy solid lines for convenienceof illustration. Instead of providing the multiplicity of discrete areasof bonding 17, there may be disposed an areas of bonding which, forexample, extends uninterruptedly in a spiral manner. If desired, thedispersing sheet 16 may be joined to the central core piece 12 byultrasonic welding or thermal bonding rather than the use of anadhesive. Furthermore, the dispersing sheet may be disposed not only onthe upper surface of the central core piece 16, but also on the uppersurfaces of the side core pieces 14.

With reference to FIG. 3, a liquid impervious intermediate sheet 18 isinterposed between the central core piece 12 and each of the pair ofside core pieces 14. Each of the intermediate sheets 18 extends, in awidthwise sectional view, i.e., in FIG. 3, along a side edge portion ofthe upper surface of the central core piece 12 (accordingly, a side edgeportion of the upper surface of the dispersing sheet 16), its sidesurface, and a side edge portion of its lower surface, is then foldedback, and extends widthwise outwardly from the side edge portion of thelower surface of the central core piece 12 to the lower surface of theside core piece 14. The widthwise outward edge of the intermediate sheet18 is positioned at a widthwise central portion on the lower surface ofthe side core piece 14. Each of the intermediate sheets 18 is caused toextend longitudinally throughout the length of the napkin 2, and thelongitudinally opposite edges of each of the intermediate sheets 18 arealigned with the longitudinally opposite edges of the backsheet 6. Eachof the intermediate sheets 18 is bonded, using an adhesive, to thecentral core piece 12 in areas of bonding 20 and 22, and to the sidecore piece 14 (via a side topsheet piece to be described later) in areasof bonding 24, the areas of bonding being schematically represented byheavy solid lines in FIG. 3. More specifically, the intermediate sheet18 is bonded to the side edge portion of the upper surface of thedispersing sheet 16 in the area of bonding 20, accordingly bonded to theside edge portion of the upper surface of the central core piece 12 viathe dispersing sheet 16, is then bonded to the side edge portion of thelower surface of the central core piece 12 in the area of bonding 22,and is finally bonded to the lower surface of the side core piece 14(via a side topsheet piece to be described later) in the area of bonding24. The areas of bonding 20, 22 and 24 are preferably caused to extendlongitudinally uninterruptedly throughout the lengths of the centralcore piece 12 and the side core piece 14. If desired, each of the areasof bonding 20, 22 and 24 may be converted into a multiplicity ofdiscrete areas. Moreover, the intermediate sheet 18 may be bonded, usingultrasonic welding or thermal bonding rather than an adhesive, to thecentral core piece 12, and to the side core piece 14 (via the sidetopsheet piece to be described later). The width, W3, of that portion ofthe intermediate sheet 18 which lies over the side edge portion of thecentral core piece 12 is preferably as small as 2 to 3 mm. If this widthW3 is large, penetration of a body fluid into the central core piece 12will be considerably hampered because of the presence of the liquidimpervious intermediate sheet 18. If the intermediate sheet 18 does notexist at the side edge portion of the central core piece 12, a bodyfluid absorbed by the central core piece 12 will directly leak widthwiseoutwardly from the upper surface of the central core piece 12,particularly when the napkin 2 undergoes a widthwise compressive force.The body fluid will flow widthwise to the side core piece 14, arousingthe possibility for its lateral leakage. As will be noted later, whenthe widthwise compressive force acts on the napkin 2, the pair of sidecore pieces 14 are displaced widthwise inwardly and caused to sink belowthe central core piece 12. Such sinking is limited by the widthwiselength of that portion of the intermediate sheet 18 which ranges fromthe site indicated by the numeral 26 to the site indicated by thenumeral 28. This widthwise length from the site 26 to the site 28 of theintermediate sheet 18 is preferably such a dimension that the whole ofthe side core piece 14 in the width direction is kept from sinking belowthe central core piece 12, in other words, that when the side core piece14 is displaced to the widthwise innermost position, the widthwiseoutward edge of the side core piece 14 is limited to a position, evenslightly, widthwise outwardly of the widthwise outward edge of thecentral core piece 12. Particularly preferably, that length is set atsuch a dimension that more than the inward half of the side core piece14 is prevented from sinking below the central core piece 12, in otherwords, that when the side core piece 14 is displaced to the widthwiseinnermost position, the widthwise nearly half of the side core piece 14is limited to a state extruding widthwise outwardly of the central corepiece 12. Importantly, the intermediate sheet 18 is liquid impervious,and can be formed preferably of substantially the same material as thatof the backsheet 6, namely, a flexible liquid impervious thermoplasticfilm, especially, a low density polyethylene film 0.01 to 0.05 mm,particularly, about 0.025 mm, in thickness.

In an area of bonding 30 schematically represented by a heavy solid linein FIG. 3, thz lower surface of the intermediate sheet 18 is bonded tothe upper surface or inner surface of the backsheet 6 using an adhesive.Preferably, the area of bonding 30 is located below the side core piece14 in alignment with the area of bonding 24 between the intermediatesheet 18 and the lower surface of the side core piece 14 (via the sidetopsheet to be described later). Thus, the side core piece 14 is joinedto the backsheet 6 via the side topsheet (to be described) and theintermediate sheet 18. Preferably, the area of bonding 30 is not presentbelow the central core piece 12. The area of bonding 30 between theintermediate sheet 18 and the backsheet 6 can be caused to extendlongitudinally uninterruptedly throughout the length of the intermediatesheet 18, or a plurality of discrete areas of bonding 30 may be arrangedlongitudinally. If desired, the intermediate sheet 18 can be joined tothe backsheet 6 by ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding instead ofusing an adhesive. On the lower surface or outer surface of thebacksheet 6 is disposed a bonding means 32 for strippably bonding thebacksheet 6 to the inner surface of panties. For convenience's sake, anarea where the bonding means 32 is applied is indicated by many dots inFIG. 2, and represented by a heavy solid line in FIG. 3. As will bestated later, when the wearer's thighs are closed to exert a widthwisecompressive force on the napkin 2, the side core piece 14 needs to besmoothly displaced widthwise inwardly attendant on the displacement ofthe wearer's panties, thereby causing it to sink below the central corepiece 12. For this purpose, it is preferred that the bonding means 32 bedisposed below the side core piece 14, but not below the central corepiece 12. As will be seen clearly from FIGS. 2 and 3, a bonding means 34is also provided on the outer surface or lower surface of each of thepair of wing portions 10 of the backsheet 6. The bonding means 32 and 34may be composed advantageously of a pressure sensitive adhesive. Apressure sensitive adhesive that can be used preferably is CenturyAdhesive A-305-IV sold by Century Adhesive Corp. of Columbus, Ohio, USA.For purposes of, say, preventing the soiling of the pressure sensitiveadhesive prior to use, it is desirable to cover it strippably with asilicone coated paper (not shown). If desired, other bonding means, suchas a double-sided adhesive tape, may be used instead of the pressuresensitive adhesive.

If desired, the above-described intermediate sheet 18 may be omittedfrom the viewpoint of, say, reduction in the manufacturing cost. In thiscase, a hydrophobic treatment well known per se can be applied, wherenecessary, to a widthwise inward region of the side core piece 14 inorder to prevent a body fluid absorbed by the central core piece 12 fromflowing widthwise into the side core piece 14 directly from the centralcore piece 12 and further flowing widthwise through the side core piece14.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the topsheet 4 in the illustratedembodiment includes a central topsheet piece 36 and a pair of sidetopsheet pieces 38. The central topsheet piece 36 has, in a widthwisesectional view, i.e., FIG. 3, a main portion covering the upper surfaceof the dispersing sheet 16 disposed on the upper surface of the centralcore piece 12, and a portion extending along opposite side portions, theopposite side surfaces, and opposite side portions of the lower surfaceof the central core piece 12 outwardly of the intermediate sheet 18. Themain portion of the central topsheet piece 36, i.e., that portioncovering the dispersing sheet 16, is thermally bonded to the dispersingsheet 16 in a multiplicity of areas of thermal bonding 40 arranged atintervals. For convenience's sake, the areas of thermal bonding 40 areindicated by many dots in FIG. 1, and by heavy solid lines in FIG. 3.Opposite side edge portions of the central topsheet piece 36 are bonded,using an adhesive, to that portion of the intermediate sheet 18 whichcovers the lower surface of the central core piece 12 (in other words,to the lower surface of the central core piece 12 via the intermediatesheet 18), in areas of bonding 42 indicated by heavy solid lines in FIG.3. The areas of bonding 42 are caused to extend longitudinallyuninterruptedly throughout the lengths of the central topsheet piece 36and the intermediate sheet 18. If desired, the main portion of thecentral topsheet piece 36 may be joined to the dispersing sheet 16 byusing an adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. Moreover, the opposite sideedge portions of the central topsheet piece 36 may be joined to theintermediate sheet 18 by ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding. Theareas of bonding 42 between the opposite side edge portions of thecentral topsheet piece 36 and the intermediate sheet 18 may be formedinto a multiplicity of discrete areas.

Each of the side topsheet pieces 38 extends, in a widthwise sectionalview, i.e., FIG. 3, along the widthwise inward half of the lower surfaceof the side core piece 14, then along the widthwise inward side surfaceof the side core piece 14, and further along the upper surface and thewidthwise outward side surface of the side core piece 14, and finallyextends widthwise outwardly. A widthwise inward edge portion of the sidetopsheet piece 38 is bonded, using an adhesive, to the lower surface ofthe side core piece 14 in an area of bonding 44 indicated by a heavysolid line in FIG. 3. (The widthwise outward edge portion of theintermediate sheet 18 is bonded to the side topsheet piece 38 in thearea of bonding 24, and bonded to the lower surface of the side corepiece 14 via the side topsheet piece 38.) The area of bonding 44 extendslongitudinally uninterruptedly throughout the length of the side corepiece 14. If desired, the area of bonding 44 may be formed into amultiplicity of discrete areas. The widthwise inward edge portion of theside topsheet piece 38 may be joined to the lower surface of the sidecore piece 14 by ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding rather than byuse of an adhesive. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surface ofthe side core piece 14 and the side topsheet piece 38 are not joined toeach other. If desired, however, the side topsheet piece 38 may bejoined to the upper surface of the side core piece 14, as is the uppersurface of the central core piece 12 to the central topsheet piece 36,by a suitable method, such as bonding in a multiplicity of areas ofbonding arranged at intervals.

As will be understood clearly by reference to FIG. 1, the centraltopsheet piece 36 and the pair of side topsheet pieces 38 cooperativelydefine, in the plan view, substantially the same shape as that of thebacksheet 6. At a longitudinally central portion of each of the sidetopsheet pieces 38 is formed a wing portion 46 of substantially the sameshape as the wing portion 10 of the backsheet 6. The central topsheetpiece 36 and the side topsheet pieces 38 are thermally bonded to thebacksheet 6 uninterruptedly along the entire outer peripheral edge ofthe napkin 2. For convenience of illustration, such areas of thermalbonding 47 are represented by intersecting diagonal lines in FIGS. 1 and2, and heavy solid lines in FIG. 3. The thermal bonding procedure isusually performed after all the constituent elements making up thenapkin 2 are disposed relative to one another as required. Thus, thelongitudinally opposite end portions of the intermediate sheet 18,located at the outer peripheral edge portion of the backsheet 6, arealso thermally bonded to the backsheet 6, central topsheet piece 36 andside topsheet pieces 38. The central topsheet piece 36 and side topsheetpieces 38, importantly, should be liquid pervious, and should not causeexcessive discomfort to the wearer when they are contacted with thewearer's skin. The central topsheet piece 36 and side topsheet pieces 38can be formed advantageously from materials, such as woven or nonwovenfabrics of natural or synthetic fibers; apertured thermoplastic films;porous plastic foams; reticulated thermoplastic films; and thermoplasticscrims. Particularly advantageous materials are apertured polyolefinicfilms as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,929,135, 4,324,246, 4,342,314,4,463,045 and 5,006,394.

The above-described napkin 2 is used as an overlay on a required site ofthe inner surface of the wearer's panties 48 (partly shown in FIG. 4).For use, the external surface of the backsheet 6 is attached strippablyto the internal surface of the panties 48 via the bonding means 32. Apair of wings defined by the pair of wing portions 10 of the backsheet6, and the wing portions 46 of the pair of side topsheet pieces 38 arefolded back on the outside surface of the panties 48. The outer surfacesof the pair of wing portions 10 of the backsheet 6 are attachedstrippably to the outside surface of the panties 48 via the bondingmeans 34. Assume that the wearer wears, as required, the panties 48bearing the napkin 2 at a required site of its inner surface. When awidthwise compressive force is exerted on the napkin 2, for example, byclosure of the wearer's thighs, as will be seen by reference to FIG. 4along with FIG. 3, the side core pieces 14 are displaced widthwiseinwardly, and caused to sink below the central core piece 12. The sidecore piece 14 is bonded to the panties 48 via the bonding means 32disposed on the outer surface of the backsheet 6 (more specifically, viathe area of bonding 44, side topsheet piece 38, area of bonding 24,intermediate sheet 18, area of bonding 30, backsheet 6, and bondingmeans 32). The side core piece 14 is displaced attendant on thewidthwise inward displacement of the panties 48, while the central corepiece 12 is not directly joined to the panties 48. Thus, when awidthwise compressive force is exerted on the panties 48 and the napkin2 by closure of the wearer's thighs, the side core piece 14 is caused tosink below the central core piece 12 fully smoothly when displacedwidthwise inwardly. The sinking of the side core piece 14 below it liftsthe central core piece 12 somewhat, thereby bringing the widthwisecentral portion of the napkin 2, i.e., its portion where the centralcore piece 12 exits, into intimate contact with the wearer's urogenitalregion. The amount of sinking of the side core piece 14 below thecentral core piece 12 is restricted, as described previously, by thatwidthwise length of the intermediate sheet 18 which ranges from the site26 to the site 28. Since the side core piece 14 sinks below the centralcore piece 12 to reduce the widthwise dimension of the napkin 2, thephenomenon that the central core piece 12 is irregularly distortedrelative to the longitudinally central axis owing to the widthwisecompressive force is prevented fully reliably. This leads to precludethe undesirable event that the irregular distortion of the central corepiece 12 relative to the longitudinally central axis causes thewidthwise central portion of the napkin 2 to be considerably apart fromthe wearer's urogenital region locally, eventually leaving the wearer'surogenital region locally exposed without being covered by the napkin 2.Upon release of the widthwise compressive force that the napkin 2 hasundergone, the napkin 2 is resumed to its initial state or a similarstate.

A body fluid such as menses discharged from the wearer penetrates thecentral topsheet piece 36, reaching the dispersing sheet 16, where it isdispersed longitudinally, and then absorbed and held by the central corepiece 12. Since the liquid impervious intermediate sheet 18 existsbetween the central core piece 12 and the side core piece 14, the bodyfluid absorbed by the central core piece 12 is not caused to flow fromthere to the side core piece 14. Even if a considerably large amount ofbody fluid is discharged, there is no possibility for lateral leakage inwhich the body fluid flows widthwise through the side core piece 14,leaking outwardly in the width direction. For some reason, a body fluiddischarged from the wearer may directly drain widthwise outwardly of thecentral topsheet piece 36. Such a body fluid is absorbed by the sidecore piece 14 through the side topsheet piece 38. In this case,therefore, the accident that the body fluid leaks and soils the wearerherself or her clothing such as panties is prevented without fail.

The following modification may be added to the napkin 2 shown in FIGS. 1to 4 to ensure that when the wearer puts the napkin 2 at a required siteof the inside surface of the panties 48 as required, and wears it asrequired, the widthwise central portion of the napkin 2, i.e., theportion where the central core piece 12 exists, will come into firmintimate contact with the wearer's urogenital region: The central corepiece 12, the dispersing sheet 16, the central topsheet piece 36, theintermediate sheet 18, and the widthwise central portion of thebacksheet 6 that define the widthwise central portion of the napkin 2are constituted so as to be elastically substantially inextensible oronly slightly extensible. Whereas the side core piece 14, the sidetopsheet piece 38, and the widthwise opposite side portions of thebacksheet 6 that define the widthwise opposite side portions of thenapkin 2 are constituted so as to be elastically extensible. By sodoing, when the panties 48 with the napkin 2 overlaid as required isworn as required, the widthwise opposite side portions of the napkin arelongitudinally elongated according to the longitudinal elongation of thepanties 48. Owing to this, the widthwise central portion of the napkin2, which is substantially inextensible or extensible only slightly, iselastically lifted, and thus brought into fully satisfactorily intimatecontact with the wearer's urogenital region. Alternatively, thewidthwise central portion of the napkin 2 is constituted so as to beelastically extensible, while its widthwise opposite side portions areconstituted so as to be substantially inextensible or only slightlyextensible; moreover, a pressure-sensitive adhesive with a relativelyhigh bonding strength may be applied to the longitudinally opposite endportions in the widthwise central portion of the backsheet 6. When suchnapkin 2 is to be overlaid at a required site of the inner surface ofthe panties 48, the widthwise central portion of the napkin 2 in anelastically elongated state is engaged with the panties 48 by thebonding means applied to the longitudinally opposite end portions in thewidthwise central portion of the backsheet 6. By so doing, elasticshrinkage generated in the widthwise central portion of the napkin 2causes part of the panties 48 to be pulled longitudinally, and thewidthwise central portion of the napkin 2 to be lifted. Thus, when thepanties is worn as required, the widthwise central portion of the napkin2 is brought into fully satisfactorily intimate contact with thewearer's urogenital region. In order that all of the membersconstituting the napkin 2, or only specific parts of the membersconstituting the napkin 2 can be elastically elongated, a web material,such as a plastic film, which originally is elastically inextensible orextensible only slightly, is partially machined to deform it into anon-planar shape. For details of such machining, reference is requestedto International Publication WP95/03765.

FIG. 5 shows a modified example of the sanitary napkin 2 mentionedabove. In a napkin 102 as shown in FIG. 5, when in a state in which nowidthwise compressive force is exerted, widthwise inward edge portionsof side core pieces 114 have already been caused to sink below widthwiseside edge portions of a central core piece 112. The distance, W4,between the pair of side core pieces 114 is somewhat smaller than thewidth of the central core piece 112. Preferably, the distance W4 betweenthe pair of side core pieces 114 is 2 to 70 mm, particularly 5 to 40 mm,more particularly 10 to 20 mm. In such a napkin 102, when a widthwisecompressive force is applied to the napkin 2, the side core pieces 114are displaced widthwise inwardly more smoothly and caused to sink belowthe central core piece 112. The structure other than the above-mentionedpoints of the napkin 102 illustrated in FIG. 5 is substantially the sameas that of the napkin 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

FIG. 6 shows another modified example of the aforementioned sanitarynapkin. In a napkin 202 as illustrated in FIG. 6, a topsheet 204 iscomposed of a single piece. Such a topsheet 204 extends, in a widthwisesectional view, i.e., FIG. 6, widthwise bilaterally side from a mainportion covering a dispersing sheet 216 disposed on the upper surface ofa central core piece 212, then extends outwardly of an intermediatesheet 218 along opposite side portions, the opposite side surfaces andopposite side portions of the lower surface of the central core piece212, is then folded back to extend from the lower surface of the centralcore piece 212, along the upper surface of a side core piece 214 and itswidthwise outward side surface, and further extends widthwise outwardly.Such topsheet 204 is thermally bonded to the dispersing sheet 216 in amultiplicity of areas of bonding 240, and bonded, using an adhesive, tothat portion of the intermediate sheet 218 which covers the lowersurface of the central core piece 212, in an area of bonding 242. Inorder that when a widthwise compressive force is exerted on the napkin202, the side core pieces 214 are not kept from being displacedwidthwise inwardly and sinking below the central core piece 212, it isimportant that the topsheet 204 and the side core pieces 214 are notjoined to each other. No topsheet 204 exists below the side core piece214, and the widthwise outward edge portion of the intermediate sheet218 is bonded, using an adhesive, directly to the lower surface of theside core piece 214 in an area of bonding 224. The structure other thanthe above-mentioned points of the napkin 202 illustrated in FIG. 6 issubstantially the same as that of the napkin 102 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the sanitary napkin constructed inaccordance with the present invention. A napkin 302 as shown in FIG. 7has a liquid pervious topsheet 304, a liquid impervious backsheet 306,and an absorbent core 308 surrounded by the topsheet 304 and thebacksheet 306.

The backsheet 306 is substantially the same as the backsheet 106 in thenapkin 2 explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus, the backsheet306 is formed entirely of a single piece, and is nearly rectangular as awhole. The opposite edges in the longitudinal direction (in thedirection perpendicular to the sheet face in FIG. 7) of the backsheet306 are in a convexly arcuate form (reference is requested to FIG. 2 aswell) At a longitudinally central portion of the backsheet 306 areformed a pair of wing portions 310 protruding in the width direction(the right-and-left direction in FIG. 7). On the outer surface or lowersurface of the backsheet 306 are provided bonding means 332 which areadvantageously pressure-sensitive adhesives. The bonding means 332,represented by heavy solid lines for convenience's sake in FIG. 7, arelocated below a pair of side core portions of an absorbent core 308 tobe described in detail later. Also on the lower surfaces or outersurfaces of the pair of wing portions 310 of the backsheet 308 areprovided bonding means 334.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the absorbent core 308 is alsocomposed of a single piece. The absorbent core 308 comprises a centralcore portion 312, a pair of connecting portions 313 extending downwardlyfrom the opposite side edges of the central core portion 312, and a pairof side core portions 314 extending widthwise outwardly from theconnecting portions 313. Preferably, each of the connecting portions 313extends downwardly in a widthwise inwardly inclined manner, and theabsorbent core 308 is in the shape of ₋₋ as a whole. The central coreportion 312 is relatively large in width, while the side core portion314 is relatively small in width. Preferably, the width, W5, of thecentral core portion 312 is 5 to 120 mm, particularly 25 to 80 mm, moreparticularly 35 to 60 mm. Preferably, the width, W6, of the side coreportions 314 is 2 to 60 mm, particularly 5 to 40 mm, more particularly 8to 25 mm. Advantageously, the width, W7, of the connecting portion 313is 2 to 60 mm, particularly 3 to 35 mm, more particularly 5 to 10 mm.Advantageously, the distance, W8, between the pair of side core portions314 is 2 to 70 mm, particularly 5 to 40 mm, more particularly 10 to 20mm. The lower surface of the side core portion 314 in the absorbent core304 is bonded, using an adhesive, to the upper surface or inner surfaceof the backsheet 306 in an area of bonding 315 indicated by a heavysolid line for convenience's sake. The area of bonding 315 extendslongitudinally (in a direction perpendicular to the sheet face in FIG.7) uninterruptedly throughout the length of the side core portion 314.The structure other than the above-mentioned points of the absorbentcore 308 may be substantially the same as that of the absorbent core 4in the napkin 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

On the upper surface of the central core portion 312 in the absorbentcore 308 is disposed a dispersing sheet 316. The dispersing sheet 316may be substantially the same as the dispersing sheet 16 in the napkin 2illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and is joined to the upper surface of thecentral core portion 312 of the absorbent core 308, using an adhesive,in a multiplicity of discrete areas of bonding 317 indicated by heavysolid lines for convenience of illustration. Instead of providing themultiplicity of discrete areas of bonding 317, there may be disposed,for example, an area of bonding which extends uninterruptedly in aspiral manner.

On the absorbent core 308 are disposed a pair of liquid imperviousintermediate sheets 318. Each of the intermediate sheets extends, in awidthwise sectional view, i.e. FIG. 7, from a side edge portion of theupper surface of the central core portion 312 (accordingly, a side edgeportion of the upper surface of the dispersing sheet 316) along theouter surface of the connecting portion 313. In the napkin 302illustrated in FIG. 7, the absorbent core 308 is formed of a singlepiece. Thus, as will be mentioned further, when a widthwise compressiveforce is exerted on the napkin 302 to displace the side core portions314 widthwise inwardly, causing them to sink below the central coreportion 312, the central core portion 312 tends to be deformed in aconvexly arcuate form in the widthwise sectional view according to thewidthwise inward displacement of the side core portions 314. Owing tothis, body fluids are relatively likely to leak directly from the uppersurface of the central core portion 312, flowing to the side coreportions 314. Hence, the width, W9, of that portion of each of theintermediate sheets 318 which exists at the side edge portion of thecentral core portion 312 is preferably somewhat larger than the width,W3, of the corresponding portion of the intermediate sheet 18 (FIG. 3.)in the napkin 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, and is about 5 to 7 mm. Thelower edge of the intermediate sheet 318 is aligned with the lower edgeof the connecting portion 313 of the absorbent core 308, and the entireouter surface of the connecting portion 313 of the absorbent core 308 iscovered with the intermediate sheet 318. Such intermediate sheet 318 isjoined, using an adhesive, to the side edge portion of the upper surfaceof the central core portion 312 and the outer surface of the connectingportion 313 in the absorbent core 308 in a multiplicity of discreteareas of bonding 319 indicated by heavy solid lines for convenience ofillustration. Instead of providing the multiplicity of discrete areas ofbonding 319, there may be disposed, for example, an area of bondingwhich extends uninterruptedly in a spiral manner. If desired, theintermediate sheet 318 may be joined to the absorbent core 308 byultrasonic welding or thermal bonding. As with the embodiment describedby reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the intermediate sheet 318 may be omitted,if desired, from the aspect of, say, reduction in the manufacturingcost, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 as well.

The topsheet 304 is also composed of a single piece. It extends, in awidthwise sectional view, i.e., FIG. 7, widthwise bilaterally from amain portion covering the dispersing sheet 316 disposed on the uppersurface of the central core portion 312 in the absorbent core 308, thenextends outwardly of the intermediate sheet 318 along opposite sideportions of the central core portion 312, down the connecting portion313 and along the side core portion 314, and further extends widthwiseoutwardly. When viewed in a plan view, the topsheet 304 assumessubstantially the same shape as the backsheet 306. In correspondencewith the pair of wing portions 310 of the backsheet 306, the topsheet304 also has a pair of wing portions 346. Such topsheet 304 is thermallybonded to the dispersing sheet 316 and the intermediate sheet 318 in amultiplicity of areas of thermal bonding 340. As in the case of thenapkin 302 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the topsheet 304, intermediatesheet 318 and backsheet 306 are thermally bonded together in an area ofthermal bonding 347 extending uninterruptedly along the entire outerperipheral edge of the napkin 302. The structure other than theabove-mentioned points of the napkin 302 illustrated in FIG. 7 issubstantially the same as that of the napkin 2 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

With reference to FIG. 8 along with FIG. 7, the napkin 302 is also usedas an overlay at a required site of the inner surface of the wearer'spanties 348 (partly shown in FIG. 8). For use, the external surface ofthe backsheet 306 is attached strippably to the internal surface of thepanties 348 via bonding means 332. A pair of wings defined by the pairof wing portions 310 of the backsheet 306, and the wing portions 346 ofthe topsheet 304 are folded back on the outside surface of the panties48. The outer surfaces of the pair of wing portions 310 of the backsheet306 are attached strippably to the outside surface of the panties 348via bonding means 334. Assume that the wearer wears, as required, thepanties 348 bearing the napkin 302 at a required site of its innersurface. When a widthwise compressive force is exerted on the napkin302, for example, by closure of the wearer's thighs, the side coreportions 314 are displaced widthwise inwardly, and caused to sink belowthe central core portion 312. The side core portions 314 are bonded tothe panties 348 via the bonding means 332 disposed on the outer surfaceof the backsheet 306. The side core portions 314 are displaced attendanton the widthwise inward displacement of the panties 348, while thecentral core portion 312 is not directly joined to the panties 348.Thus, when a widthwise compressive force is exerted on the panties 348and the napkin 302 by closure of the wearer's thighs, the side coreportions 314 are caused to sink below the central core portion 312 fullysmoothly when displaced widthwise inwardly. The sinking of the side coreportions 314 below the central core portion 312 causes the central coreportion 312 to be deformed in a convexly arcuate shape in a widthwisesectional view and lifted somewhat, thereby bringing the widthwisecentral portion of the napkin 302, i.e., its portion where the centralcore portion 312 exits, into intimate contact with the wearer'surogenital region. Since the side core portions 314 sink below thecentral core portion 312 to reduce the widthwise dimension of the napkin302, the phenomenon that the central core portion 312 is irregularlydistorted relative to the longitudinally central axis owing to thewidthwise compressive force is prevented fully reliably. This leads topreclude, without fail, the undesirable event that the irregulardistortion of the central core portion 312 relative to thelongitudinally central axis causes the widthwise central portion of thenapkin 302 to be considerably apart from the wearer's urogenital regionlocally, eventually leaving the wearer's urogenital region locallyexposed without being covered by the napkin 302. Upon release of thewidthwise compressive force that the napkin 302 has undergone, thenapkin 302 is resumed to its initial state or a similar state.

A body fluid such as menses discharged from the wearer penetrates thewidthwise central portion of the topsheet 304, reaching the dispersingsheet 316, where it is dispersed longitudinally, and then absorbed andheld by the central core portion 12 of the absorbent core 308. Assumethat a vertical compressive force as well as the widthwise compressiveforce may be exerted on the napkin 302, thereby bringing the outersurface of the connecting portion 313 of the absorbent core 308 intocontact with the upper surface of the side core portion 312. Even inthis case, the liquid impervious intermediate sheet 318 exists on theouter surface of the connecting portion 313, so that the body fluidabsorbed by the central core portion 312 is not caused to flow fromthere into the side core portion 314 through the connecting portion 313in its thickness direction. Even if a considerably large amount of bodyfluid is discharged, there is no possibility for lateral leakage inwhich the body fluid flows widthwise through the side core portion 314,leaking outwardly in the width direction. For some reason, a body fluiddischarged from the wearer may directly drain widthwise outwardly of thewidthwise central portion of the napkin 302, i.e., the portion where thecentral core portion 312 of the absorbent core 308 exists. Such a bodyfluid is absorbed by the side core portion 314, thus fully reliablypreventing the accident that the body fluid leaks and soils the wearerherself or her clothing such as panties.

FIG. 9 shows a modified example of the sanitary napkin 302 describedabove. In a napkin 402 as illustrated in FIG. 9, each of intermediatesheets 418 is caused to further extend, in a widthwise sectional view,i.e., FIG. 9, widthwise outwardly from the lower end of a connectingportion 413 of an absorbent core 408 along a side core portion 414 asfar as the widthwise outward edge of the side core portion 414. Suchintermediate sheet 418 is joined, using an adhesive, also to the uppersurface of the side core portion 414 in a multiplicity of discrete areasof bonding 419 indicated by heavy solid lines for convenience ofillustration. On that portion of each of the intermediate sheets 418which extends on the top of the side core portion 414 is disposed anabsorbent auxiliary core piece 415. Such an auxiliary core piece 415 iscaused to extend longitudinally uninterruptedly throughout the length ofthe side core portion 414, along a widthwise outward portion of the sidecore portion 414 of the absorbent core 408. The lower surface of theauxiliary core piece 415 is joined, using an adhesive, to theintermediate sheet 418 in a multiplicity of discrete areas of bonding421 indicated by heavy solid lines for convenience of illustration. Theauxiliary core piece 415 itself may be formed of the same material asmaking up the absorbent core 408. A topsheet 404 is located above oroutside the auxiliary core piece 415 in the area where the auxiliarycore piece 415 exists. The topsheet 404 is thermally bonded to the uppersurface of the auxiliary core piece 415 as well in a multiplicity ofdiscrete areas of bonding 441 indicated by heavy solid lines forconvenience's sake. The structure other than the above-mentioned pointsof the napkin 402 illustrated in FIG. 9 is substantially the same asthat of the napkin 302 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

When undergoing a widthwise compressive force, the absorbent article ofthe present invention is fully reliably prevented from being distortedinappropriately. Its required site is kept on the wearer's urogenitalregion. Thus, the widthwise bilateral leakage of body fluids isprevented without fail. It is free from a marked increase in themanufacturing cost associated with a uselessly complicated structure.

Furthermore, when the article is in use and a compressive force isapplied to the article by the legs of a wearer, each of the side corepieces tucks under the central core piece. This "tucking under" willoccur for the range of compressive forces applied by a wearer when thewearer's thighs compress the article. As is shown in FIGS. 5-9, the sidepieces will be tucked at least partially under the central core piece.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent article for maintaining close andintimate contact with the pudendal region of a female user comprising agarment facing side, a body facing side, a lateral line, a transverseline positioned perpendicularly to the lateral line, a liquid pervioustopsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet having an outer surface facedadjacently with the garment facing side of the absorbent article, and anabsorbent core surrounded by the topsheet and the backsheet, wherein theabsorbent core includes a central core piece having a perimeter and apair of side core pieces disposed on both sides of the central corepiece, each said side core piece having an inner edge parallel to andfacing the central core piece perimeter and an outer edge facing awayfrom the central core piece perimeter, such that when a lateralcompressive force is exerted upon the side core pieces, each of the sidecore pieces is displaced laterally toward the central core piece butcaused to sink below and at least partially underneath the central corepiece, said central core piece being elevated upwardly away from thecompressed side core pieces being laterally compressed.
 2. The absorbentarticle of claim 1 wherein the garment facing side of each of the sidecore pieces is joined to the backsheet, and on the outer surface of thebacksheet is disposed, in an area extending along the garment facingsides of each of the side core pieces, a bonding means for bonding thebacksheet to a garment.
 3. The absorbent article of claim 2 wherein aliquid impervious intermediate sheet for preventing a liquid flow fromthe central core piece to each of the side core pieces is disposedbetween the central core piece and each of the side core pieces.
 4. Theabsorbent article of claim 1 wherein in a state before the lateralcompressive force is exerted upon the side core pieces, the inner edgeof each of the side core pieces is located parallel and adjacent to theperimeter of the central core piece.